The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other federal agencies have revealed that there is no clear evidence that local government allocations from the Federation Account get to the councils directly.
The agencies made this known during a workshop on the Local Government Accountability Framework (LGAF) held in Jos, Plateau State, for local government chairmen.
The event was organised by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
The ICPC Executive Secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, said that despite the Supreme Court ruling granting full autonomy to local governments, there is still no system to verify what each council receives.
He noted that most allocations are channelled through state joint accounts, making it difficult for councils to know or plan with their actual funds.
He added that this lack of transparency undermines development and accountability at the grassroots level.
Other speakers, including the RoLAC Programme Manager, Emmanuel Uche, and LGAF Coordinator, Umar Yakubu, also said that democracy cannot grow without openness and accountability in the use of public funds.
They called on citizens to demand transparency and for local governments to be given full control of their allocations to improve schools, healthcare, and infrastructure in rural communities.
